McDonald’s arrest latest black eye on 49ers organization

No sooner had the 49ers learned the fate of embattled linebacker Aldon Smith than the latest off-field incident rained down more negative publicity on the organization Sunday.

The latest incident happened early Sunday morning, when starting defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who turns 30 years old on Tuesday, was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in San Jose.

While he walked out of jail and hailed a cab, McDonald told KTVU Ch. 2: “I can’t say too much about it right now. The truth will come out. Everybody knows what kind of person I am. I’m a good-hearted person.” McDonald wore a black T-shirt and camouflage cargo pants as he left jail.

The Sacramento Bee reported that the incident occurred at McDonald’s house, where McDonald and his fiancée were celebrating McDonald’s upcoming birthday.

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At some point, McDonald and his fiancée got into an altercation, which resulted in her getting bruises on her neck and arms. The Bee cited a police source as saying McDonald’s fiancée is 10 weeks pregnant.

That came two days after standout Smith was suspended nine games for violations of the league’s substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies and three days after the league announced a stricter policy against domestic violence.

McDonald’s arrest also adds to the 49ers league-leading total since the start of 2012, which now stands at 10.

Smith received a four-game suspension for violating the substance-abuse policy and five games for multiple violations of the personal-conduct policy.

The new domestic violence policy crafted by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mandates a six-game suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second infraction.

Players whose incidents involve a pregnant woman will face longer suspensions, the league announced Thursday. Other incidents that trigger longer suspensions are those involving weapons, choking or repeated striking.

San Jose Police said in a statement that police were notified about an alleged domestic violence incident shortly before 3 a.m. in the 2500 block of Bentley Ridge Drive.

Officers responded and after an investigation determined that “the domestic violence allegation was substantiated,” police said.

McDonald was arrested without incident and booked into the Santa ClaraCounty jail on felony domestic violence charges, police said in their statement.

He was released on bail later in the day. Police said they would complete their investigation and turn the results over to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, but would not provide any further details.

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McDonald is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 15, according to CSNBayarea.com.

All was quiet Sunday afternoon on Bentley Ridge Drive, a winding street on a hill dotted with large, upscale homes in San Jose’s EvergreenValley, several miles south of downtown.

A few neighbors told the Mercury News they did not see or hear anything out of the ordinary early Sunday.

No one answered the door of McDonald’s two-story house. A new, black Bentley luxury sedan sat in the driveway as a broken sprinkler head spilled water onto the sidewalk. Happy birthday and 49ers balloons floated over a chair in the patio.

The Bee story said current 49ers tight end Vernon Davis and defensive end Demarcus Dobbs were among those who attended the party.

The police said they would not release the police report and that the department’s public information officers would not be available to discuss the investigation.

McDonald will be the first player subject to the NFL’s strict new policy for players accused of domestic violence, which Goodell announced Thursday.

In a statement from 49ers general manager Trent Baalke, the 49ers said: ”The 49ers organization is aware of the recent reports regarding Ray McDonald and we take such matters seriously. As we continue to gather the facts, we will reserve further comment.”

Coach Jim Harbaugh was not available for comment Sunday. The 49ers did not practice. However, in 2012 Harbaugh made his stance on domestic violence abundantly clear.

“He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us, except put our hands on women,” former 49ers strong safety Donte Whitner said at the time. “If you put your hand on a woman, then you’re done in his book.”

McDonald has been a very important part of the 49ers defense the past few years. He signed a five-year, $20 million contract extension in 2011. He was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2007 draft.

In 2012, McDonald was arrested in Sunnyvale for an outstanding warrant, stemming from his 2010 arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence in San MateoCounty.

Sunnyvale police pulled over McDonald for an apparent traffic violation, and he was arrested at about 2:39 a.m. when officers learned of his outstanding arrest warrant, according to Sunnyvale Capt. Dave Verbrugge.

An arrest warrant was issued because McDonald failed to provide proof of completing the first-offender program he was sentenced to after his drunken-driving arrest.

McDonald became a full-time starter in 2011 and started 45 of 48 regular-season games. He is projected to start on a defensive line that also features Justin Smith and Ian Williams.

The 49ers already are down three starters from their defense. Aldon Smith is out the first nine games, inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman is expected to miss the first half of the season while he recovers from knee surgery and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is sidelined with a torn biceps.

Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine are the prime candidates to fill the void if McDonald gets suspended or cut.

Staff writer Joe Rodriguez contributed to this story.

Steve Corkran

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Just read the “domestic abuse” guidelines at NFL website. It’s a 6 game ban for first offense and a lifetime ban for second offense. Also…. a first offense can result in a lifetime ban if the domestic abuse is “witnessed by a child” or the victim was “pregnant”… Ray McDonald is toast…. His career is over unless a miracle happens..

Rodgohard

I don’t know the details of what happened with McDonald and his fiancée, it seems as though he grabbed and snatched but didn’t strike with a punch. Whether that makes a difference in his situation I don’t know. This may be a positive for the 9ers only in that Tank Carradine may provide a better pass rusher from the interior playing alongside Ian Williams and Justin Smith. Let the young guys roam.

zinn21 zinn21

Clarification a first offense can result in a longer ban than 6 games and does not specifically state that it could include a lifetime ban.

Lulu

“Broken sprinkler head spilled water onto the sidewalk”. Death penalty?

elizapar

What a coward. A real man doesn’t hurt others. The 49ers who keep claiming that they are a class organization (compared to Seattle) will do nothing about their felons, I mean players that commit crimes. All they care about is winning. The entire organization is a disgrace and a joke. If the fans were smart they should return their tickets for a full refund, otherwise they are telling their children winning is more important than anything else.

elizapar

If he beat up your sister, would you still love him?

eric todd

Claiming ‘black eye’ on the team is misplaced criticism. The organisation does not police the players outside the offices of the 49ers. This writer does not know the details, just whipping up drama. McDonald is not a fool. He will be forfeiting his check. Wait for investigation before passing judgement. His absence is opportunity for younger players. Wish the family well.

Willtalk

Lets wait to see what the investigation results are before passing judgement. I have seen some incidents where some crazy women were the attackers and the person being attacked was just attempting to restrain them. Now I am not saying this is what happened at all. Only that it was a possibility to consider before we assume anything. The bruises being on the arm’s and even on the neck might support this sort of scenario. Again it is only a possibility. The other one being that McDonald totally abused her.

Dawan

Starting the season with major distractions is not good!

nodoby

“Black eye”???? Is Ann Killion back with the Merc again under a different name?

NinerED

Is 1st offense an arrest or conviction?

zinn21 zinn21

Doesn’t say. In the Ray Rice case the NFL issued his punishment after his aggravated assault charge was plea bargained and settled.

zinn21 zinn21

Doesn’t say. In the Ray Rice case the NFL issued his punishment after his aggravated assault charge was plea bargained and settled.